Quite a few rural properties have rainwater tanks which, as the name suggests, collect rainwater
. Have a read at this old thread I started about
rainwater tanks . I think there's a septic tank as well at our place but perhaps Taffy can fill you in on how often it needs emptying. I don't think it's that often as the liquids drain off into a special area, leaving only the solids behind.
There's a well on the property, too, but the water is too brackish to use in the house.